Oil on the garage floor

[98viperGTS]

Hello all.
I just took my 1998 GTS out today for the first time since I got her. I noticed that on the garage floor was oil. It was not a puddle but it was not just a drop. I have never had an oil leak on any of my previous Vipers, so I have no clue what to do or where to start. I made an appointment with the Dodge dealer to have it looked at, have the oil changed and get the 998 recall done. I just sank the money into the car and I really don’t have the cash or the want to sink a lot more into it if something is really wrong. I think that I will now go to my room and cry a little, not a lot but a little. If anyone has any advice please let me know and if anyone has any positive words please let them out.

Thanks to all of the Viper community.

 

[Randy]

Take a deep breath. Its just a bit of oil. Its still just a car, it has gaskets with oil behind them - one of them may not be sealing as well as you like. Its likely not a big deal. Either jack it up yourself to take a look for it, or, since you have an appt with a tech, let them know.

And relax, it was only the '98 engine that had the cracked block problem...

 

[TampaViper]

Funny thing. I got my gen I and in the first week noticed a small bit of oil (perhaps a few tablespoons) on the floor. I imagined the worst. Turned out to be the oil pan gasket. Fret not! I agree with Randy; put it up on a jack and take a look. (or keep clean and take it to your mechanic. Good Luck.

 

[PDCjonny]

I had a drippy oil problem myself with my '98 GTS. If you do a search for "oil leak" or something to that effect you will see many posts on this. It could be coming from 15 different places, many of which are minor. You MUST take your car to a Viper specialist in your area, not any Dodge dealer. You need someone with experience with VIPERS. A wrong diagnosis can be very expensive and very wrong, take it from my personal experience. I was quoted a 3K engine job to fix my leak, and it turned out to be just the timing chain cover (a known issue with '98's). But it took Chuck Tator to find the problem. His years of experience saved me huge money. Find VCA members in your area and see where they go.

 

[Pat_L_96GTS]

Cleaned up our 96 GTS weekend before last and pulled her out for the first time and I'll be darned if we didn't have a spot about the size of a saucer on a painted floor. I'll be taking it in (wifey says "H_ll NO" to me working on it) to have all the fluids changed. Thank God the drive train is under warranty, I'll let the dealership fix it.

 

[98viperGTS]

Does anyone know of a good Viper Tech in the Aiken SC, Augusta GA area. I know of no one that I feel safe with. I would love to have Chuck work on her but I don't think that he makes house calls. I will put him up for the night or weekend and include meals Come on Chuck you know you want too.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Yes, Tom Sessions in NC.

 

[98viperGTS]

I think that Tom works at B & E Dodge. does anyone know the city and address?

 

[Viper Wizard]

Congrats on your new Viper!

"Vipermad" has Tom's info, and might I add, Tom IS one of the best! You WILL be good hands with him!

As for your oil leak [I looked at your pics in the other post]: The oil is being blown back. It's one of two things - The PCV hose/tube that runs from valve cover to valve cover in the front is leaking or the timing chain cover gasket has torn/split, near the top of the cover. Take a look, I think you'll find it. If you want, call me when your next to her and I'll try to guide you to your leak?

 

[98viperGTS]

It looks like it might have been the PCV tube. I cleaned them and I am going to clean as much oil off as possible. Then I am going to drain the extra oil and check the air filters to make sure there is no oil in them. Next I will start the engine and see if any oil is coming out. I don't think that it is the timing chain cover gasket, but I am not perfectly sure where that is. I think that if i looked over the center on the engine in the front by the belts I would be dead on the top of the timing chain cover. it looks good there. Chuck I will try and call you tomorrow.

Thank you Chuck and everyone.

 

[98viperGTS]

After further looking at the problem I have found that I have no clue. I checked the filters and they are clean and looking great. After looking at it for awhile I noticed that the oil under the intake is towards fire wall, not the belts. In fact the intake side where the air enters the system has very little to no oil then as you move back towards the firewall the oil begins to puddle with the biggest puddle all the way back to the firewall. If it was the PCV it would have oil in the front. I dont know.

Thanks

 

[98viperGTS]

Talked with Chuck today. WoW what a great guy. We went over what the 3 different problems could be.
1. Valve covers
2. PCV
3. timing chain cover gasket
He explained what to look for and gave me options of what to do. Did I state that he is a Great guy, cause he is. I went ahead and ordered a new PCV set and will install. I also torqued the valve covers to 110 in/lbs. However on the passenger side I can not get to the bottom bolts. If all of this does not works looks like I will make a trip to Tom in NC and have the timing chain cover gasket replaced.

Thanks Chuck you are the BEST, and thanks to everyone else that has replied.

John

 

[ViperRay]

I've also had oil leak from galley plugs!

 

[PDCjonny]

You have been Tator-ized.... Chuck has seen and fixed every conceivable problem that a Viper can have. He's the best.
Now leave him alone so he can get back to arranging the BBQ!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Johann]

Another couple of things to look at are the oil pressure gauge sender and the warning light switch, both of these sprung leaks on mine within a couple of weeks of each other and one went from an annoying drip to a running leak in the space of 10 miles.

Thge warning light switch actually blew the end of the connector out from trapped pressure.

 

[venomblue550]

oil pan gasket?

 

[silverten]

Hi,
I have a 1998 RT/10 that had the oil leak you are talking about. I also had help from Chuck and I really appreciate your help. I replaced the timing cover gasket and the PCV hoses on the valve covers. I have not seen a drip of oil since. It is too bad you do not live closer because I would have offered my services since I am now experienced.

Chris Moore
1998 RT/10
2001 Prowler